When Women Stand Trial

Write

What’s behind the news?

Think of a female perpetrator, either from WWII or a more recent case you may have heard about in the news. Think about how that person was (or is) portrayed in the media. Make a list of attributes and nuggets of information you can remember about this person from what you have read and digested. Call this list “What I know”. Then make a list of what you would like to know about this person. Call this list “What I’d like to know”.

If there are aspects of her crime/s, story or life that have been less publicised, consider why that might be. Do you think there would have been any differences in the way this person’s case was reported if they were male? Do you think that media portrayal of female perpetrators in the 1940s was different or similar to media portrayal of female perpetrators now? What about portrayal of women in general?

If you would like to share your responses, use the text box on the submission form to write your lists and any further comments and reflections.

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